Women's Basketball

Women's Hoops Earns Sixth Seed in NEC Tournament With 64-59 Win

Feb 27, 2010

Junior Justina Udenze led Central
Connecticut State University with 18 points and added seven
rebounds as the Blue Devils defeated St. Francis (NY) by a score of
64-59 on the road Saturday afternoon. CCSU finishes regular season
play with an overall record of 11-17 and will be the sixth seed in
next weekend's Northeast Conference Tournament with a league mark
of 8-10.

The Blue Devils got out to a quick start, as they scored the
first nine points and held a 12-2 advantage just 3:58 into the
game. CCSU used a pair of three-pointers from sophomore Alexzandria
Dowdy and a trio of transition buckets to get out to the early
lead. Senior P.J. Wade scored on
consecutive fast break layups before junior Leanne Crockett did the
same to give the Blue Devils the double-digit lead.

After two free throws by Udenze, St. Francis (NY) held Central
scoreless for the next 10:16. The Terriers capped off their 23-2
run with a three-pointer by senior Melissa Weithman to make it
25-14 with 5:23 to play. CCSU cut into the St. Francis (NY) lead
and trailed by only three, 28-25 at the half.

The Terriers extended their second half lead to six twice before
CCSU took control of the game. St. Francis made it 37-31 on a
jumper in the paint by Jacinda Williams. The Blue Devils then went
on a 10-0 run to take a 41-37 lead that they didn't lose the rest
of the way out.

Dowdy stole the ball and then converted the fast break layup to
tie the game for the first time of the half at 37-37. On the next
defensive possession Crockett pulled down the rebound and hit Dowdy
with the outlet pass. The point guard then found junior Kerrianne
Dugan in transition, who in turn fed Wade for the fast break
jumper to give Central its first lead since midway through the
first half.

Freshman Kirsten
Daamen grabbed an offensive rebound and then finished the
putback layup to score the ninth and 10th straight points for the
Blue Devils. CCSU extended the lead to as many as 10 at 60-50 and
held on to the 64-59 victory.

The Terriers were led by Williams' 15 points and four assists,
while Autumn Lau added 14 points on four three-pointers.

Udenze led the Blue Devils with 18 points, while three others
finished in double figures. Dugan totaled 16 points, grabbed five
boards and added three assists. Crockett recorded her team-leading
ninth double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Dowdy chipped
in with 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Central Connecticut earned the sixth seed in the NEC Tournament
with the victory and will play third seeded Sacred Heart in the
quarterfinals on Saturday.